University of Southern Maine · Portland, Maine
Three-Year Low-Residency Master of Social Work
What Should You Know About Three-Year Low-Residency Master of Social Work at University of Southern Maine?
Three-Year Low-Residency Master of Social Work is a MSW program at University of Southern Maine in Portland, Maine, offered hybrid. It requires 61 credit hours and takes 3 years (fall, spring and summer semesters). At $601 per credit, estimated tuition is $36,661 before fees. University of Southern Maine's MSW is listed as accredited in CSWE's directory (September 2026); the accreditation covers this format.
Program Details
| Degree | MSW |
|---|---|
| Format | hybrid |
| Part time | Offered |
| Credits | 61 credit hours |
| Length | 3 years (fall, spring and summer semesters) |
| Field education | 900 hours (400-hour and 500-hour field internships) |
| GRE | GRE not required |
| Start terms | Fall (cohorts every other year; next Fall 2026) |
| Tuition | $601 per credit hour tuition and mandatory fees for MSW students, 2026-27 |
From usm.maine.edu, reviewed September 30, 2026. Check start dates, deadlines and current tuition with the school before you apply.
How This Program Compares
- Estimated tuition of $36,661 is the 131st lowest of 349 MSW programs on this site with an estimate (median $40,180).
- Its 61 credits compare with a median of 60.
- Its 900 field education hours compare with a median of 900 among programs that state them.
Estimate the full cost and federal loan coverage for this program
After This MSW: The Maine License Path
- Earn a CSWE-accredited MSW2 years full time, or about 1 with advanced standing
- Pass the ASWB exam (Masters)For the LM
- Log supervised clinical hoursUsually about two years of post-MSW practice
- Earn the clinical license (MC)Independent clinical practice
Maine license tiers from its board. Online students licensed in another state follow that state's board.
Other MSW Options at University of Southern Maine
Standard Master of Social Work (Portland Campus) at University of Southern Maine
University of Southern Maine · PortlandFormatOn campus900 field hoursCredits61Est. tuition$36,661$601/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Similar MSW Programs at Other Schools
Master of Social Work (MSW) at Minnesota State University-Mankato
Minnesota State University-Mankato · Mankato, MNFormatHybridCredits59Est. tuition$36,400$617/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWEMaster of Social Work (Evening Hybrid, Lincoln) at Nebraska Wesleyan University
Nebraska Wesleyan University · Lincoln, NEFormatHybrid900 field hoursCredits66Est. tuition$36,300$550/creditAccreditationCSWE- FormatHybrid500 field hoursCredits57Est. tuition$37,107$651/credit · resident rateAccreditationCSWE
Master of Social Work (Hybrid Immersion) at University of Indianapolis
University of Indianapolis · Indianapolis, INFormatHybrid930 field hoursCredits60Est. tuition$35,880$598/creditAccreditationCSWE
Three-Year Low-Residency Master of Social Work: Common Questions
How Much Does Three-Year Low-Residency Master of Social Work at University of Southern Maine Cost?
$601 per credit hour tuition and mandatory fees for MSW students, 2026-27. That works out to about $36,661 for 61 credits, before fees. Tuition changes each year; confirm fees and total cost with University of Southern Maine.
How Long Is Three-Year Low-Residency Master of Social Work?
61 credit hours, 3 years (fall, spring and summer semesters), according to the school's program page.
How Many Field Hours Does Three-Year Low-Residency Master of Social Work Require?
900 hours (400-hour and 500-hour field internships), according to the school's program page.
Does Three-Year Low-Residency Master of Social Work Require the GRE?
GRE not required, according to University of Southern Maine's admissions information.
Is Three-Year Low-Residency Master of Social Work CSWE Accredited?
University of Southern Maine's MSW is listed as accredited in CSWE's directory (September 2026); the accreditation covers this format.